For an increasing number of communities, riding a bike is not just a form of recreation, but also an important mode of transportation. Getting around by bike is good for public health and is very friendly to the environment, but cyclists require extra consideration in roadway design. By constructing bikeways, many communities have helped this mode of transportation become an easier and more accessible choice for residents who want to safely get out of their cars.
New separated bike paths and on-street bike lanes have been popping up in big cities and small towns across the country. Springfield, Ore. has decided to highlight their bikeways with a splash of color. By marking the paths in a bright green color it becomes both a visible reminder to drivers to look out for cyclists, and a cheery indication their popularity. In a great example of public and private partnerships, Houston, Tex. is working with the Houston-Galveston Area Council and other local organizations to create a better bikeways system. They are hoping to improve remaining bike paths, making them safer and more uniform throughout the city.
Other areas have similar plans in the works. In Hermosa Beach, Calif., the South Bay Bicycle Coalition in conjunction with public input has created a plan to expand existing bike paths. In Winchester, Mass. after an uphill battle for enhanced pathways officials and residents have finally agreed on a plan that will be taken to the public for approval.
While communities enjoy many benefits from bikeways, they often call for changes to roadways that upset drivers. For example, in San Francisco, a plan for more bike paths will require reducing the number of driving lanes in an already congested area of town. Creating a system that satisfies everyone is a challenge, but biking advocates in San Francisco and elsewhere continue to develop solutions that meet the needs of all forms of transportation.
If you are interested in building or managing bikeways in your community you can find more information on the Bikeways topic page for articles and documents And share your own experiences and advice about bikeways to help keep the discussion going with other communities! You can also find many helpful resources online from organizations like the Alliance for Biking & Walking, the National Complete Streets Coalition, and StreetsBlog.